Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], September 25, : Contract workers of Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS, and PRTC have opened a fierce front against the government regarding their demands.
The state head of the Union, Resham Singh Gill, said in a press conference held in Chandigarh that the employees of the transport department are providing services to the public with full devotion, but the government is constantly ignoring their legitimate demands.
The labour union claims that despite Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's directives, the employees' demands remain unaddressed. Over the past three years, the government has failed to procure new buses, leading to a rise in the influence of private transportation companies.
The implementation of the kilometre scheme has resulted in the misappropriation of funds from the government treasury due to the deployment of private buses, which has greatly angered the union.
State Secretary Shamsher Singh Dhillon said that according to the population of Punjab, there should be at least 10,000 government buses, but at present there is a huge shortage of buses. Thus, it led to accidents every day, the brunt of which was felt by drivers and conductors.
The agitated union protesters had clearly stated that if their demands are not met soon, then on October 15, bus stands will be closed across Punjab and on October 22, a sit-in will be held outside the Chief Minister's house.
They also said, "If a solution is not found despite this, then we will sit on indefinite strike."
The union alleges that corruption is taking place on a large scale in the transport department, due to which the government treasury is suffering huge losses and the employees are not getting their rights. The union has warned that if the demands are not resolved soon, the government will have to suffer the consequences in the upcoming elections.